Bench folding leg and brace structure

Details Bench folding leg and brace structure Bench folding leg and brace structure

1999-07-02

2001-01-16

Chen, Jose V. (Department: 3636)

Horizontally supported planar surfaces

Plural related horizontal surfaces

Detachable enlarging or substitute surface

C108S116000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06173660

ABSTRACT:

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a metallic work bench folding leg and brace structure and more particularly to improved telescoping leg adjustment means and a tool mounting platform for such a bench structure.
1. Field of the Invention
2. Description of the Prior Art
The most pertinent patent is believed to be U.S. Pat. No. 4,191,111 issued Mar. 4, 1980 to me for Bench Folding Leg And Brace Structure. This patent discloses an elongated work bench normally supported by a downwardly diverging leg structure connected with a leg folding members. The leg folding members are pivotally connected with the undersurface of the work bench for pivoting the legs to a parallel stored position adjacent the undersurface of the work bench when not in use.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,469,870 issued Sep. 30, 1969 to Barcus for Telescopic Structure With Rotatable Shaft and U.S. Pat. No. 3,724,885 issued Apr. 3, 1973 to Becker for Locking Device For Extendible Tubes are believed good examples of the further state-of-the-art for telescoping tube or leg structure.
This invention is distinctive over the above named patents by providing improved telescoping retrofitting leg assemblies for increasing the operational height of the modified bench with the legs telescopically extended to a maximum height without increasing the bench minimum height with the legs telescopically collapsed. The present disclosure provides an improved leg fixed position adjustment means which is smoother operating, more positive, easier to manufacture and field replaceable. Also, this invention is distinctive over the above named patents by including a platform removably secured in overlying relation on the bench top surface for quickly mounting and supporting tools or equipment such as a power miter box saw, a table top, or the like.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An elongated bench top of substantially channel shape in transverse section is provided adjacent its respective under-surface end portions with a leg bracket for pivotal connection with the upper end of a pair of legs in a manner permitting the legs to diverge downward, laterally and longitudinally of the bench when erected and to lie in parallel relation against the undersurface of the bench between the legs of the channel shape when folded. A T-shaped brace rod pivotally connected by its stem end to the undersurface of the bench has its bar end cooperating with lock pins to form a rigid connection with a depending end portion of the respective pair of legs when erected. A strut pivotally connected with the stem of the brace rod and slidably engaging a track bracket secured to the undersurface of the bench limits pivoting movement of the brace rod away from the bench. Leg folding links extending between and pivotally connecting the respective legs with the strut pivot the legs toward an erected or collapsed position by movement of the T bar end portion of the brace rod toward and away from the undersurface of the bench. Each leg is provided with a telescoping leg extension for elevating the bench. However, the leg length of the inner leg extension in the prior art bench is appreciably less than the length of the bench connected outer leg for the reason a lug on each leg adjacent its leg bracket connected end, is connected with a respective end of each of the folding links and extends through the wall of the outer leg and limits telescopic insertion of the inner leg extension into the outer or surrounding leg beyond the position of the lug. Accordingly, described is a retrofit package of an improved telescoping leg assembly which includes an inner extension leg of only nominally shorter length than the outer or surrounding leg and other improved operating features.
The principal object of this invention is to provide a retrofit package for an existing work bench which comprises pairs of extended range telescoping legs for disposing the bench top at a higher level, and providing a tool, equipment, or table supporting platform removably secured to the upper surface of the work bench by quick connect and release latches and to provide an improved means for adjusting the telescoping legs so that the bench top may be raised and lowered more easily.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3469870 (1969-09-01), Barkus
patent: 3724885 (1973-04-01), Becker
patent: 3777675 (1973-12-01), Hanusiak
patent: 4186784 (1980-02-01), Stone
patent: 4191111 (1980-03-01), Emmert
patent: 4715296 (1987-12-01), Wilkinson
patent: 4864941 (1989-09-01), Goulter
patent: 4949649 (1990-08-01), Terres et al.
patent: 250321 (1964-03-01), None

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